Abstract

SILVESTRE, Rafaela Luiza Silva  and  VANDENBERGHE, Luc. The benefits of positive emotions. Contextos Clínic [online]. 2013, vol.6, n.1, pp. 50-57. ISSN 1983-3482.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4013/ctc.2013.61.06.

Positive emotions constitute an important aspect of daily life experience. The existing tradition of experimental research about its effects has attracted little attention. However, this research tradition has been referred to more recently in order to sustain the central role new models of psychotherapy have accorded to positive emotion. The present article turns to this source to review the referred tradition in order to clarify what the benefits of positive emotion are which are documented in it. The studies under review show that positive emotions contribute in several ways to emotion regulation; help to undo the toxic effects of stress on physiological processes; broaden action and thought repertoires; deepen openness to experience; sustain coping strategies and enhance the quality of relationships. In the long run these changes contribute to the building of strong personal and social resources, thus promoting health and resilience.

Keywords : positive emotion; emotion research; positive psychology.

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